godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb
to match; to equal; to be on par with
Formal or literary intransitive verb. Often used in negative potential forms like 如かない (can't match) or in comparisons. Modern usage is limited and somewhat stiff.
彼の才能には誰も如かない。
No one can match his talent.
この作品は前作に如く出来だ。
This work is on par with the previous one.
yodan verb with 'ku' ending (archaic), intransitive verb
to catch up with; to overtake
Archaic yodan verb. Not used in modern Japanese; found only in classical texts.
古典では「しく」が「追いつく」の意で使われることがある。
In classical texts, しく can be used to mean 'to catch up with'.